What you should do if something gets stuck underneath your car: Toyota of Orlando tips

 Getting something stuck under your car while you're driving may seem like it's no big deal, but in reality, it can actually do a fair amount of damage to the underside of your Orlando Toyota and leave you with a hefty repair bill in hand. However, this roadside car emergency does happen from time to time and it's important to know how to handle it. Check out these expert tips from Toyota of Orlando's auto service techs on what to do in this car emergency. 

Do you know what to do if something gets stuck under your car? 

Believe it or not, it's relatively easy to get things stuck underneath your car. Here are some of the most common situations we see at our Orlando Toyota service center: 

• Kids kicking sports balls or other toys underneath the car 
• Road debris or trash getting lodged underneath the car while driving, like plastic bags or debris from an accident or construction
• A skid plate, aerodynamic covering, or heat protection covering coming loose and hanging down to drag on the ground 

Steps to take in this car emergency

Regardless of what it is, it can be stressful to deal with and can also damage parts underneath your car, so it's important to know what to do should any of the above become stuck. Here are some quick step-by-step instructions from Toyota of Orlando's techs: 

Step 1: Pull over and park. First things first - get off the road. Find a safe place to park your car so you can see what's going on. A parking lot is preferable, but if that's not possible then you'll want to find a spot on the side of the road that's flat, free of sand and mud, and far away from passing traffic. Turn your car off, pull your emergency brake, and turn your hazard lights on before you get out to inspect. 

Step 2: Try to figure out what's under there. Next, take a look under your car to see what's going on. Stay away from the passing cars as much as possible and try not to crawl under the car if you can help it. It's a good idea to keep a flashlight in your car for this very reason, especially if you have this car emergency at night. 

Step 3: See if it's possible to remove it. Can you remove what's stuck under your car? If it doesn't come free easily, don't try to rip it out - you could do more harm than good. If there's a sports ball stuck under your car, try to deflate it before you pull it out to avoid damage. If it seems like whatever's stuck isn't going to come free or it's a car part that's hanging down, it's in your best interest to call for help. 

Step 4: Visit the Toyota of Orlando service center. It's always a good idea to visit our Orlando Toyota service center after you get debris stuck under your car, especially if you notice a leak, an odd smell, or anything else out of the ordinary. Our techs can inspect the underside of your vehicle to ensure no damage was done. 

Need auto service today? Call us! Toyota of Orlando's car care center is open seven days a week at (407) 298-0001 and we're conveniently located just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.